Few in Number, Mighty in Heart

Submitted by Sariah Homan 

For many of Outreach’s bookmobile, Golden Hour, and Lobby Stop visits, there are so many enthusiastic patrons who visit that it feels like a big party every month. However, one of the ongoing dilemmas Outreach faces is deciding whether to continue visiting certain stops. There are many factors we must consider when choosing to continue—or discontinue—a service location. But Outreach has never been about numbers; it’s always been about need.

At some stops, only three or four patrons visit us, even though we spend a full hour there. At first glance, you might wonder: Is it worth it? Especially when you factor in the cost of gas, the man-hours, and the effort it takes to get the bookmobile ready and on the road. Sometimes, we spend an hour at a stop and have just two visitors.

One of those visitors is a young teen who seems a bit lonely.

When he steps onto the bookmobile, he heads straight to the back—would you believe it?—to browse the recipe books. We always share a lovely conversation about what he’s been cooking and the games he enjoys playing. He often arrives looking grim, but he always leaves with a smile. For all we know, we might be the only people outside of his family he talks to that day.

At another stop, three siblings—and sometimes one or two more—eagerly wait for our arrival. They light up when they see us and check out armfuls of books. They tell us about their day and what they’re currently reading. At their school library, they can only check out two books, so being able to borrow more is a real treat. These kids have a true thirst for knowledge.

At a recent golden hour program I led, we had only five attendees. As I set up and watched people trickle in slowly, I couldn’t help but wonder, Why do we keep coming here when other facilities might draw larger crowds?

And then I saw Eleanor.

Eleanor is always one of the first to arrive and the last to leave. At my last program, she opened up and shared her life story. It hasn’t been easy. She lost a baby and a son at age 31. Her adopted daughter, whom she raised from infancy, no longer speaks to her after reconnecting with her biological mother. Eleanor has every reason to be bitter—but she is a joy. Her favorite time of the month is when the library comes to visit. She cherishes the programs, loves learning new things, and craves intelligent conversation—something she rarely gets, as many residents in her facility have lost their cognitive abilities. She is deeply grateful for the library and expresses it sincerely and sweetly every time we see her.

Lorraine once told me, “It’s not about the numbers—it’s about the people we serve.” I’ve thought about that again and again.

We serve people, not statistics.

We lift hearts with small acts of kindness—through books, through connection, through simply showing up.

Is it worth it?

YES.

We visit these stops and facilities because of the Eleanors. Because of the lonely teenagers. Because of the kids who crave knowledge.

They are absolutely worth it.